Highlands strike landmark agreement with Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet

Highland CIC, a not-for-profit organisation that reinvests all its funds for the benefit of the community and environment, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the respected Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet. 

GASP – who’s slogan is ‘The Future We Want Won’t Make Itself’ – creates partnerships between governments, international organisations, investors, and entrepreneurs. They pursue system-scale transformation for public good by leveraging private finance for projects related to climate action, sustainable development, and poverty alleviation.

The deal – announced at the Highland Sustainable Development Summit in Inverness – means the Alliance will now partner with Highland CIC to use its vast global networks to attract international and domestic grants, investment and expertise to co-design models for world class community-led sustainable development

It followed a passionate, keynote address delivered by Satya Tripathi, Secretary-General of GASP and former UN Assistant Secretary-General, who spoke to delegates from New York on his return from taking part in COP30 in Brazil. 

He stressed global delays in climate action have intensified and highlighted the urgency for regional leadership and community-driven solutions. Mr Tripathi said the signing of the MoU marked the beginning of a collaborative long-term effort.

He said: “This partnership reflects exactly the type of regional, community-driven and private-sector-enabled action that the world urgently needs. After decades of promises and delay, we are past the point where incremental change is acceptable. 

“Real progress now depends on empowering regions like the Highlands to lead transformational action from the ground up, demonstrating that sustainable development is achievable, investible and socially just.”

Mr Tripathi, speaking on the same days as the UK Budget was published, also doubled down on the vital importance of partnerships in driving change and innovation.

He said: “Governments must redirect incentives and financial mechanisms away from activities that degrade the environment and instead support nature-positive models that restore ecosystems, strengthen communities and create resilient local economies.

“The private sector is increasingly ready to finance nature-positive solutions, but investors need clarity, stability and public-private alignment to scale meaningful impact. 

“Finance must also reach those on the frontline of environmental protection – local communities – through transparent systems and fair compensation mechanisms. The Highlands have shown remarkable leadership, and we look forward to supporting this region as a global example of what real change can look like.”

More than 300 delegates attended the two-day event at the Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness, which brought together leaders from across energy and transmission, government, academia, tourism, environmental organisations and community enterprises. 

The summit explored topics including renewable energy development and energy security, green investment, community benefit funds and shared prosperity, social and economic impact, nature restoration and environmental resilience, tourism and cultural heritage, youth empowerment, skills and future jobs. 

Delegates examined how the region can harness more than £100bn in predicted green investment for the Highlands and tap into the over $30 trillion in sustainable investment funds available globally to secure equitable, long-term prosperity.

It also looked at the need for a joined-up plan to ensure alignment in spending across public and private finance and community benefit funds, to ensure innovation and impact can be maximised for good. 

Yvonne Crook, Chair of Highland CIC, said: “Everything we’re doing – and everything announced at this summit – is built on belief. Our sponsors, our ambassadors, our developers, and the local businesses stepping into this transition are investing in a community vision for the Highlands because they see something bigger than doing business as usual. 

“They believe the Highlands can be a global model of sustainable leadership: a place where clean energy, tourism, nature restoration, community wealth and cultural heritage move forward together. That belief is what’s bringing people into the Highland Renewables Network, what’s driving new partnerships like this one with GASP, and what will turn projected investment into real, shared prosperity for Highland communities. 

“This isn’t a badge or a moment – it’s a commitment to lead differently, and to leave a legacy we can be proud of.”

Around 150 micro and small businesses from the Highlands and Islands also attended the event’s supply chain and exhibition sessions on Tuesday to learn about emerging opportunities in the clean energy transition. 

Organisations including Murphy, Statkraft, Sumitomo and the Inverness & Cromarty Firth Green Freeport shared plans for increased use of local suppliers, skills development and investment pathways and spoke with local businesses about contracts available.

Powering Futures also led a youth-designed closed session at the summit, attended by 25 young people in senior school years and at the early stages of their careers. Participants shared their vision for the Highlands of the future and independently designed the youth panel, named “Future Voices”.

Highland CIC also launched its new manifesto and strategy, developed following 18 months of research, mapping and community engagement. 

It showed although significant investment streams and community benefit funds exist, there is no unified regional framework linking resources to urgent priorities such as poverty reduction, affordable housing, social care and climate adaptation.

Yvonne Crook added: “By aligning vision and investment, the Highlands can shift from being a region that powers the nation to being a region that leads the world in sustainable development, ensuring long-term prosperity for our people, economy, and environment.”